Traffic designs downtown are confusing

To the editor:

It's been encouraging to see many street projects taking place as the city needs to make them a priority if we're to continue our growth and development. However, the new configurations and traffic flow re-engineering of Second and Third avenues from 10th Street SE to Sixth Street SW makes one question the consultant's recommendations. Within a distance of approximately 16 blocks there occurs: two way streets, one way streets, bike lanes, turning lanes, no turning lanes, stop signs, no stop signs, stop lights, diagonal parking, and parallel parking, both away from the curb and against the curb. These all occur on Second and Third avenues.

If that isn't enough to confuse even the most sophisticated resident drivers, try dodging bicyclists to plug a meter, check that, engage a parking meter space because you have to find the ‘kiosk' to pay (when they work). What are patrons attending events at the Paramount Theatre to do if they want to drop someone off to then find somewhere to park? Unfortunately, there's a bike lane that runs from the curb to the parallel parking spots on Third Avenue in front of the theater. Seriously? Remember the diagonal ‘back in' parking spots on the Third Avenue bridge following the flood? As much of a head scratcher those were, the new traffic designs and flow patterns do not encourage visiting downtown. I imagine most visitors will feel the same.

Tom Pyron

Cedar Rapids